Local Highway Patrol has new leadership

Troop D, District 5 of the N.C. Highway Patrol  the district that includes Alamance County  has a new first sergeant.

Tim R. Crumpler, 34, was promoted to that position in November. He replaces Chuck Slemenda, who was promoted to lieutenant and transferred to Salisbury.

Each Highway Patrol district has a first sergeant  the highest-ranking noncommissioned officer in the district. All of the Highway Patrol employees in a district  from secretaries to troopers  answer to the first sergeant.

Its a big honor, Crumpler said of his promotion.

Crumpler, a native of Beaufort County, has been employed with the Highway Patrol since 1999. He started his career as a trooper in Martin County, then was transferred to a similar position in Pitt County.

Crumpler was then promoted to line sergeant and transferred to Ahoskie County. From there, he was transferred to Beaufort County before being promoted and transferred to Alamance County.

There are eight Highway Patrol troops in North Carolina. Troop D is headquartered in Greensboro.